Yes, but so far only part of the group’s arsenal. ETA was severely weakened in recent years after hundreds of its members, including its leader, were arrested. Police have seized several weapons stashes.

The group has tried on several occasions to negotiate a disarmament with the Spanish and French governments, which have refused to deal with the group but have urged it to hand over its arsenal.

What the politicians are saying

“ETA has to do two things: disarm and dissolve itself,” Spanish government spokesperson Inigo Mendez de Vigo told a news conference on Friday.

“The Basque government will do everything in its power to make sure this goes according to plan, even if not everything is in our hands,” said regional leader Inigo Urkullu

“Let’s hope this time the weapons handover will be final,” Arnaldo Otegi, leader of the far-left Basque pro-independence party EH Bildu says news of the disarmament is an “exciting historical moment”.